april befort
creative strategy & execution ][ brand design ][ extensive experience ][in-house creative team management][ design for all mediums
913.709.8831
aprilbefort@gmail.com
WORK
DESIGNER & BRAND CREATOR ][ april befort designs 03.20 – present
Presently working with client, KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR station on large-scale event.
Designed collateral, brochures, folders, business cards, letterhead, and direct mail for AltCap, expanding beyond Kansas City into new markets in Houston and Los Angeles.
Created new brands for Gloss Rx Medical Spa, Rx Packaging, and Samsara Yoga Temple.
Provided ongoing design for Gloss Rx, including gift cards, identity pieces, social media designs, event invitations, menus, packaging, ads, and storefront signage and window graphics.
Created several unique PowerPoint presentations for Moose Intl. events.
Provided photo editing services for individuals through my website.
Ability to change diapers while having Zoom calls.
Successfully developed top-rated Animal Crossing Island during off hours.
PRODUCTION MANAGER ][ DMH Advertising 04.23 – 11.23
Responsible for proofing, preparing press-ready files packaging final art files and delivery to vendors, proofing, and press checking each project. Central to quality control, worked on technical aspects of jobs, and managed logistics. Responsible for executing final editorial and creative feedback from clients.
Ensured art files were named properly and in proper folders, checked that all graphic assets were accounted for, and that specs, estimates, and receipts from the clients and the print vendors were saved properly.
Worked with clients on marketing, presentations, documents, and brochures using extensive templates with master pages, character styles, object styles, and meticulous brand requirements in Indesign, Illustrator, PowerPoint, and Word.
Provided design and production work for various projects such as logos, manuals, menus, business cards, and more.
Graphic design work included large format prints for tradeshows, gif static and motion web ads, and social media posts.
Edited photos: color correction, removal of imperfections, adding environments and backgrounds.
Created case studies and presentation decks in Keynote and PowerPoint for potential clients.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER ][ ZIV 08.22 – 03.23
Collaborated with clients like Bruder Health to maximize web impact using Figma, WordPress, and Shopify.
Made UX improvements to websites using Figma. Created icons and other UX graphic components.
Created sizzle reels to introduce clients to Instagram and TikTok.
Produced major commercial video work using Adobe Premiere Pro.
Layout and templates for a journal book.
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ART DIRECTOR ][ Unbound 11.14 – 03.20
Managed the graphic design team, fostered teamwork, and scheduled educational opportunities for career growth. Delegated design projects and tasks, determined priorities, and ensured stakeholder needs were met across all departments.
Managed and grew brand by holding critiques of ongoing work. Continually upgraded the brand with new icons, patterns and photo treatments. Created user-friendly brand guidelines and posters to not only in-house staff in other departments, but international offices as well (often translated in other languages). Completed large-scale brand audit and made major visual updates to the logo, color palette, and other visual assets.
Developed 360◦ concepts and campaigns that creatively informed marketing materials, website design, commercials, ads, social media, direct mail, brochures, tradeshow, pitches, and publications.
Art directed and designed several publications each year, including the flagship magazine, hundreds of marketing materials, direct mail, email campaigns, social media graphics, ads, landing pages, tradeshow banners, posters, and print ads. Art direction included providing themes, campaign guidelines, shot lists, and feedback to reporters in 7 countries across the globe. Promoted ADA compliance for publications for persons with vision impairments. Expert in creating layouts in Spanish as almost all pieces had a crossover Spanish audience.
Designed and launched an online publication that supplemented content from the flagship magazine and added video and audio content to enrich the experience. Managed and produced content. Added content using Sitecore Experience Accelerator.
Implemented and managed a DAM with over 30K assets and served as a key content manager. In charge of DAM file naming practices and tagging. Worked with international staff in seven countries to upload and label content.
Designed a multi-thousand-square-foot visitor experience. Work featured several floor-to-ceiling 18 by 20 feet wall graphics, 3D walls made from found materials, interactive features, soundscapes, curated artifacts, and educational activities. I designed and installed many of the graphics and features including lighting and sound.
In-house photographer for events, professional headshots and passport photos. Managed photo studio area and equipment, and scheduled headshots for 300 employees.
Art-directed video work in the field, including storyboarding and mood boarding to provide direction to the videographer.
Designed lead-generation email HTML campaigns with landing pages featuring recipes, activities, videos, wallpapers, and more for higher conversion rates. Generated leads while providing rich content and interaction with the user.
Art directed and designed merchandise for online stores, T-shirts, mugs, travel cups, pens, journals, and stickers.
Created hundreds of user-friendly, secure, fillable PDF forms, digital and mail, using InDesign and Acrobat Pro.
Mastered the art organizing of themed food days.
BRAND & DESIGN COORDINATOR ][ Mid-America Arts Alliance 03.07 – 11.14
Rebranded the organization with a new logo and identity, featuring brand guidelines, logo versions, and a complete identity package including new stationary, business tools like PowerPoint presentations, environmental graphics, exterior signage, wayfinding, and marketing/communications materials.
Created brochures, educational activities, text panels, labels, and installation furniture for several traveling exhibitions each year. Created alternative designs for ADA compliance and often in Spanish.
Designed collateral, advertising, large format printing on building and stage sets, and merchandise for the summer First Friday concert series.
Created visually engaging impact reports for each program in each state for the development team every month.
Created graphics, invitations, signage, and a board report with impressive infographics twice a year.
Created visually stunning fundraising materials.
Responsible for direct mail, social media posts, print ads, and any other materials needed for marketing and communications.
In-house photographer for art events, and concerts and responsible for taking and editing headshots.
Provided hand-drawn illustrations.
Created merchandise for fundraising efforts, T-shirts, reusable bags, buttons, and stickers.
Designed and managed an early version of organization’s website using CSS and Dreamweaver. Later managed and designed the website with proprietary software similar to WordPress.
Expert at unjamming paper in the office printer, even “PC Load Letter” messages.
GRAPHIC DESIGN COORDINATOR ][ Mid-America Arts Alliance 07.09 - 01.13
see above for job responsibilities
GRAPHIC DESIGNER ][ Mid-America Arts Alliance 03.07 – 07.09
see above for job responsibilities
Worked full-time during attendance of University.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER ][ Herff-Jones 01.06 – 06.06
Layout of hundreds of yearbook pages per hour. Placed photos in layouts.
Proofread, checked pages for mistakes and inappropriate material.
Highly demanding work with long hours during seasonal rush.
INSTRUCTOR, ARTS & CRAFTS ][ Johnson County Parks and Recreation 04.04 – 09.05
Taught multiple forms of art and art activities to elementary school children.
Taught clay sculpting and pottery wheel classes to 5-15 year olds.
Worked full-time during attendance of University.
AWARDS
Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2020:
Philly Award Gold, Magazine
Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2017:
Philly Award Gold, Print Newsletter
Philly Award Gold, Magazine
Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2016:
Best in House and Award Of Distinction, Magazine
Philly Award, Marketing Campaign
Kansas City IABC:
Best In Show and Bronze Quill; Magazine
Bronze Quill, Multimedia Campaign
Catholic Press Association, Catholic Press Awards 2016:
General Excellence, Magazine
HOW Magazine Winter In-House Awards 2015:
Outstanding Achievement, Informational Brochure
Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2015:
Philly Award and Award Of Distinction, Magazine
Philly Award and Award Of Distinction, Informational Brochure
Philly Award and Award Of Distinction, Print Newsletter
Nonprofit Connect, Philly Awards 2009:
Second Place, Exhibition Brochure
American Association Of Museums 2008
Honorable Mention, Exhibition Brochure